Just got my genesis 2 weeks ago and for the next 3 years I'm getting a free wax every 6 months from the dealership but before that, I would always use Turtle Wax that cost $3.50 per container or something for my 93 Chevy Lumina. Nothing fancy.

Just got my genesis 2 weeks ago and for the next 3 years I'm getting a free wax every 6 months from the dealership but before that, I would always use Turtle Wax that cost $3.50 per container or something for my 93 Chevy Lumina. Nothing fancy.

I would never trust the dealership to wax my car. They prob use cheap spray on wax and don't even Clay

I've never used clay myself. What's the procedure for using clay? Do we wax before claying?

Grab a thin plastic bag or baggie, one large enough to put your hand in, or at least a few fingers. Then run it across your paint and you will be surprised at what you feel. Clay and then repeat the touch test and find that it's gone.

As for which clay to buy, don't concern yourself too much with it, regardless of brand name, it's all Clay Magic clay in the box. Just find the one with the best deal. Meguiar's clay kits usually have the best gram-to-dollar ratio.

Wash the car, then break out the clay and spray clay lubricant (or detail spray), work one panel (Or one section of a panel on larger panels) at a time, spray the panel down with lubricant and then clay in straight lines. Wipe clean any residue from the clay or lubricant.

Grab a thin plastic bag or baggie, one large enough to put your hand in, or at least a few fingers. Then run it across your paint and you will be surprised at what you feel. Clay and then repeat the touch test

Is it alright if I just clay the entire car or not suggested? Also, what wax do you use?

Is it alright if I just clay the entire car or not suggested? Also, what wax do you use?

Depends on how young you are

Attempting to wash, clay, compound, polish and wax the entire car all in one day is a marathon event. As I have aged, I have learned to do one panel or section of the car a day. So I will focus just on the hood one day, wash, clay, compound, polish and wax and then wait until the next weekend to move onto the next panel.

Any claying or compounding/polishing action will remove whatever layer of wax you have on the car. Keep that in mind when planning out your detailing session, allow for enough time to proper paint correction and don't rush or settle for anything less than perfection.

As far as what wax I use, whatever wax someone has gifted me. Where gift cards are the default gift for most people, car wax is the default gift of my friends and family. I currently have five different brands on my detailing shelf. I use them all. Wax is just a layer of protection, there is no wax out there better than the other (Unless it lasts longer). If you prefer one kind of wax to another because it gives a "better shine" than brand X, then you settled for less than perfection during paint correction (Or did not do any paint correction) and are letting the fillers some wax manufacturers put in their product allowing you to be lazy.

Attempting to wash, clay, compound, polish and wax the entire car all in one day is a marathon event. As I have aged, I have learned to do one panel or section of the car a day. So I will focus just on the hood one day, wash, clay, compound, polish and wax and then wait until the next weekend to move onto the next panel.

Any claying or compounding/polishing action will remove whatever layer of wax you have on the car. Keep that in mind when planning out your detailing session, allow for enough time to proper paint correction and don't rush or settle for anything less than perfection.

As far as what wax I use, whatever wax someone has gifted me. Where gift cards are the default gift for most people, car wax is the default gift of my friends and family. I currently have five different brands on my detailing shelf. I use them all. Wax is just a layer of protection, there is no wax out there better than the other (Unless it lasts longer). If you prefer one kind of wax to another because it gives a "better shine" than brand X, then you settled for less than perfection during paint correction (Or did not do any paint correction) and are letting the fillers some wax manufacturers put in their product allowing you to be lazy.

Not sure about your age, but I definitely know what you mean. Even six years ago, I clay barred my car 4 times per year, washed it every sunny day following a rainy day, and detailed (polish, glaze, wax, interior, back to black, wheel wax, mag for the exhaust) every other week. It was extremely excessive but I had the time and energy. I'm lucky if I wax once a year now. I'll tell you one thing though, six years later and that car looked cleaner than it had off the dealer floor.

Although I used Meguire's for a good portion of my life, near the end I switched to Autogeek products. I usually use something without carnauba because that makes me angry when I try to take it off. To substitute for the deep look, I used Meguires Glaze.

You know how they throw in lifetime free car washes with the purchase of a car at some dealerships. Do any of you actually get your car washed there? I'm kind of worried, but honestly, I don't feel like standing outside at a self serve in 12 degree weather.

Amen, but then again, what would a guy who spends $3.50 know about caring or even giving a **** about his cars finish anyway.

When your car was only worth $400 and you just wanted it to look better than it would be, $3.50 was plenty for a wax. Now that I've got something decent and worth a hell of a lot more, I'm looking to get something nice and that would include clay barring. :P

Yesterday I purchased a Meguiar's Clay Bar Kit and today tried to clay bar and wax my entire car with my cheap $3.50 Turtle Wax carnauba wax. Well, I thought I could do it all today but after 6.5 hours, I had enough and decided I would finish up tomorrow. I managed to get half of it clay barred and waxed (roof, hood, trunk, driver side fenders, rocker panel, and the door). All that's left now is everything on the passenger side and the two bumpers.
In terms of looks, it looks a little cleaner but ultimately, it feels cleaner, absolutely smooth. The car feels like its a car you would touch at a manufacturer auto show such as the Chicago Auto Show. Definitely worth the money and effort.